Bottom line.

 New headline this morning. . . . . 

Barclays slaps spending curbs on customers - no matter how wealthy they are.

Click bait probably but I will have a look. Outrageous, how dare they! I decide how and when, and what I spend my money on. 

Customers have told the Telegraph that Barclays wrote to say that their overdraft limit will be cut to ensure they “do not borrow more than is manageable”. 

Oh, I see, it's all about overdrafts. 

But the customers insist they have substantial savings with Barclays and only use their overdrafts for emergencies, or if a surprise bill drags them over their limit. 

So why do wealthy people have an overdraft? Haven't they got a bit of cash put by in case of emergencies? 

And what is an overdraft anyway? I have never had one. I suppose it's a sum of money which the bank can make available to you, in case you over spend and find yourself going into the red. My bank once offered me that facility. I declined their kind offer, knowing that if I used their money to pay for something, it could end up being quite costly when the interest is piled on. 

No thank you. When I was skint, which was more often than not, I meticulously monitored my account with the bank, being very careful not to let the balance become dangerously low. This is why I insist on a paper statement every month sent in the post. I can make notes on the bottom for the following month. What money will be coming in, and what payments going out I have to cover. When the balance became too close to the bottom line, I cut back and stopped spending. Wait a month for things to pick up again. 

So, another misleading headline. Click on it to find out the rest of the story. This is exactly why they use emotive language, to reel you in. One click and another dot is joined, building up a comprehensive picture of all our personal details. 

Much to do today. I will set a video to upload, and chuck it out later when it is done. 

Toodle pip.   ilona

Nudge nudge

Good morning. Something Peg said on the previous post, when she/he was expressing their opinion on the UK Column News channel. Got me thinking about emotive language.

Quote 

I don’t like the over use of emotive language. It is all so intensive as opposed to neutral. Also there seems to be little questioning of people interviewed - for example the current Andrew Bridgen interview.

Unquote

UK Column is one of many alternative news channels to be found on the internet. They tell it like it is and get to the heart of the matter. They dig deep and don't stop until the real news is unravelled. The Main Stream Media however is dominated by over emotive language. It's called fear mongering, and is designed to shock and worry people into compliance. Independent, and staff journalists, who sell their work to the main stream media know what is required to get them the best rates for their articles. And we all know that they are biased towards those who call the shots. Money talks. 

I have picked out a few examples of mis information, and dis information. Possibly there is some truth in these headlines, but the sole purpose of them is to nudge people into thinking that whatever is happening is all down to some crisis or another. 

Note the use of the word 'anxiety'. Emotive language to provoke worry.   

The use of the word 'suffer' To frighten us. Stay at home, it's too hot to go outside. 

If you have booked a holiday to Rhodes, you might like to think twice about it. 'Wildfire' gives the impression that multiple fires started spontaneously, when arsonists have been arrested.

Expect events to be cancelled. Too wet, too hot, too windy. 

Don't take any valuables with you, or not go at all. Stay at home. 

Note the use of the word 'shocking'. It's everywhere. 

Untold devastation. Scary stuff.

Rationed. Utilities will be turned off. No aircon.

Rain batters. Scary. 

Wildfires. Best not go to Greece.

Avoid road closures. Find another way round. Use more fuel. 

Huge fire, engulf buildings, warnings. Stay at home. 

Gas boilers, penalties, get a heat pump.

Here we go again. Fears, struck down, deadliest disease. 

Load of bollocks. 

Maybe best to walk or cycle to work then. 

Disruption. Change your plans. Don't go. 

The Guardian, say no more. 

Ban. Scrap your car and get an EV.

Shortage of water. Build as many homes as you like. Maybe give each one it's own well. 

Sick people stranded. Not enough staff. Don't get sick. 

That bloody rain again. Be alerted.

It goes on and on and on. Turn your TV off, and get your life back. Peg, UK Column is trying to address the imbalance of people's perception of what is going on. People will veer towards the sources that they most trust. That's ok, but there are always other sides to the story. Always remember those with the most money will shout the loudest. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona.

Dusty

 I watched a film last night. Don't normally watch films because they are too long. I can watch an hour long documentary if it's a subject I am interested in, and I can watch an hour long interview if the person being interviewed has a good story to tell. It was late when I started watching the film. I thought I might watch half of it, and finish watching it tomorrow (today).

As it was I didn't feel particularly tired so carried on watching it till the end. I have seen it several times before so I knew the story. I listened out for one line that sticks in my mind and makes me laugh out loud. 'After four years it doesn't get any worse'. Some of you might remember that line. The film was from 1975. John Hurt plays Quentin Crisp, in The Naked Civil Servant. I enjoyed watching it again last night. 

Quentin was living with his boyfriend in a small apartment. The boyfriend complained that the place was very dusty. I love Quentin's logic. It's true, it doesn't. 😆

If you want to watch it, here is the link. 

Sunny day today. Coffee morning, chat with friend, and hedge cutting. Always something to do in the garden. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Fashionista

Aye up mi duck, I've spent some money. The parcel arrived yesterday. Maybe I should make an unboxing video. Slow motion, removing the packaging piece by piece, like a pass the parcel game. Eventually revealing what exciting goodies have landed on my doorstep. 

THE BIG REVEAL. I have a new hoodie. I could have sent cash, but UK Column are happy to receive a cheque in the post. Royal Mail do a guaranteed next day delivery, and this arrived a week later. I am  chuffed. It's very good quality, and looks pretty trendy. Excited to show it off in support of my favourite news channel. I will wear it to the coffee morning tomorrow. 

The sun is back hooooray. Let's hope it continues. Thanks for popping in.

Toodle pip.   ilona

Lincolnshire villages

I was in the Lincolnshire Wolds today. There are several villages between Barton on Humber, and Brigg. I parked at Bonby.  

Let's have a look at St Andrews Church. Someone has been busy, they have a new Lytch Gate. Well almost new. The support timbers are new, and the old roof has been put back on top. The old gate has been put back on as well. So, a nice refurbishment job. 

It is a Grade 2 listed building with a 17th century brick tower.  

I climbed the hill out of Bonby onto Middlegate Road. There are some really nice views across to Scunthorpe. The Steel Works can be seen on the horizon. 

I spotted several white boxes in the middle of a field of blue flowers. Zoom in to have a closer look. Bee hives. 

It was a long trek on a straight road to Elsham. The sun was warm, the wind swept across the fields. Very pleasant walking conditions. I kept stopping to admire the views. 

It's difficult to take a picture of the whole of All Saints Church Elsham. The grounds have a lot of trees. Not easy to find a good spot. 

I see they have managed to save the old telephone box. It looks wonderful with it's cascades of flowers, hanging from the planters. 

A little garden has been built around it. 

Leaving Elsham I walked along the edge of Hillside Plantation on my right, with several fields of this crop on my left hand side. The plants were taller than me. Possibly sweetcorn, I am not sure. 

I was beginning to feel a bit weary at this point as I came into Worlaby. Thank goodness churches usually have a bench or two to rest ones legs. This is the Church of St Clement. 

There is a charming wooden porch. 

I got back to the car just as the six o clock news was starting. I always have Radio 4 on in the car. Home by half past. 

Only 7.5 miles today, it felt like more. This old body is slowing down. Orange mark today. A previous walk on the blue mark was 14 miles, and the pink mark was 13 miles. 

I always feel happy when I have been out for a walk. A little tired maybe, but I will sleep well tonight, and wake up refreshed in the morning.

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona